27

October
2010

Carly Fiorina Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery Associated Infection

category: Children's & Women's Health - Leslie, RN, BSN, MSN, ARNP,MyDocHub
by Leslie RN, BSN, MSN, ARNP,
Carly Fiorina Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery

Carly Fiorina Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery

After hearing that Carly Fiorina was hospitalized for an infection associated to her reconstructive surgery after breast cancer, I wanted to know the incidence rate of such infections following her type of breast reconstructive surgery.

California GOP Senate challenger Carly Fiorina, 56, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2009 before she formally announced her run for Boxer’s seat. She completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments a year ago and had reconstructive surgery in July after having a double mastectomy.

According to doctors, as many as 20 percent of breast cancer patients develop infections related to reconstructive surgery.

It’s hard to know why Fiorina would suffer an infection now without knowing how her reconstruction was done, said Dr. Neal Topham, a plastic surgeon at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

One common method involves several steps, using tissue expanders to stretch skin for several months while chemotherapy and radiation are given. Once those treatments end, permanent implants can be placed.

“Radiation is the culprit here,” because it often damages tissue and impairs healing, and 7 to 20 percent of patients suffer an infection, Topham said.

It is also common to have more minor, follow-up cosmetic procedures after implants heal, and those can lead to infection.

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  3. Triple Negative Breast Cancer
  4. New Breast Cancer Test Approved
  5. Increased Success Rate for Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

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